The Beitou Branch of Taipei Public Library has been named one of the 25 most beautiful public libraries in the world by U.S.-based cultural news website Flavorwire.

The library was selected along with other finalists in Denmark, France, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Thailand, the U.K. and U.S., according to the website April 16.

Designed by Kuo Ying-chao and unveiled in 2006, the three-story Beitou library was Taiwan’s first certified green architecture project, built with recyclable materials and a sustainable design to minimize its environmental impact.

“It was an attempt to build a library that can breathe,” the architect said in an earlier interview. “It has to blend in perfectly with its surroundings.”

Located in Beitou Park on the north side of the city, the structure’s rooftop is paved with photovoltaic panels to convert sunlight into electricity for use by the library. The facility’s restrooms also use rainwater collected on site.

The project has won numerous honors, including the Taiwan Architecture Award, Excellence Award for Green Building and Taipei City Urban Landscape Award, according to Kuo.

The library houses over 63,000 books, including a large collection dedicated to ecological conservation. Last year it was frequented by nearly 600,000 visitors, sources said.

Apart from its catalog of public libraries, the website also listed the most beautiful university and private libraries around the world.

In a February report on the same website, Taipei’s VVG Something bookstore was named one of the world’s 20 most beautiful bookstores. (THN)